In preparation for Valentine’s Day, I decided to be a nice co-worker and make red velvet cupcakes to take into the office. I would have rather made a red velvet cake, but the cupcakes are so much better for sharing. I found really cute cupcake wrappers at the grocery store which made the cupcakes even more special.
I found a recipe from Paula Deen, because Southern ladies know their red velvet, and got to work.
Start the recipe by sifting together the dry ingredients.
Using an electric mixer, mix together all the wet ingredients, including the red food coloring and vinegar. Slowly work the dry ingredients into the wet ones.
Once the batter is well incorporated, scoop into the prepared cupcake pans.
Bake at 350 degrees for 22-25 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool completely before icing.
I prefer my red velvet cake with butter cream icing, as opposed to the more popular cream cheese. So I whipped up a batch of my favorite butter cream and piped it on top.
I don’t think I’ll use this recipe again, they were decent but not good. I felt the cupcakes lacked in flavor overall and I while I baked them I thought I should have added more cocoa than the recipe called for, but talked myself out of it. I usually like to follow a recipe the first time I make it and then makes notes afterward about how it turned out for the next time I make it.
Even thought they didn’t taste amazing, they certainly were pretty and put everyone at the office in a Valentine’s mood!
Here’s the recipe from Foodnetwork.com:
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
- 1½ cups vegetable oil
- 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons red food coloring
- 1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 (12-cup) muffin pans with cupcake papers.
- In a medium mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. In a large bowl gently beat together the oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla with a handheld electric mixer. Add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet and mix until smooth and thoroughly combined.
- Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake tins about ⅔ filled. Bake in oven for about 20 to 22 minutes, turning the pans once, half way through. Test the cupcakes with a toothpick for doneness. Remove from oven and cool completely before frosting.
Thanks for stopping by to see what's cookin'! This blog documents all my food related adventures from cooking to restaurant reviews to drink recipes and even travel, all while living life in Lancaster, PA home of the Pennsylvania Dutch, the Amish and some of the best meat and produce around.
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